Ukraine hits Russian oil depot in Smolensk region

(Reuters) -The Ukrainian military said on Tuesday its forces had hit a Russian oil depot in the western Smolensk region, setting fire to tanks storing oil products. Ukraine’s general staff said on the Telegram app that the depot was used for military purposes. It did not specify the weapon used for the strike but said it was carried out in cooperation with drone forces. Smolensk region governor Vasily Anokhin said that the attack caused a … Read more…

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Bitcoin more than doubles in 2024 on spot ETF approval, Trump euphoria

By Manya Saini (Reuters) – Bitcoin more than doubled in 2024 driven by the U.S. markets regulator’s approval for exchange-traded funds tied to its spot price, and optimism over easing regulatory hurdles with Donald Trump set to return to the White House. The world’s largest and most well-known cryptocurrency hit $100,000 earlier this month, a milestone that has ignited ‘animal spirits’ among supporters of the once-nascent asset class. A more than 120% surge in bitcoin … Read more…

Germany accuses Elon Musk of trying to influence its election

BERLIN (Reuters) -The German government accused U.S. billionaire Elon Musk on Monday of trying to influence its election due in February with articles supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, even though it suggested they amounted to “nonsense”. Musk, who is set to serve Donald Trump’s new administration as an outside adviser, endorsed the AfD as Germany’s last hope in a guest opinion piece for the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that prompted the commentary … Read more…

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Factbox-Biggest aviation accidents of 2024

(Reuters) – The crash on Sunday of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 in Seoul killed a total of 179 people in the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil. Here are some of the biggest aviation accidents of 2024, in order of severity: SOUTH KOREA Jeju Air international flight 7C2216, originating from Bangkok, Thailand, and directed to Seoul, crashed on Dec. 29, killing all 175 passengers and four of the six crew. BRAZIL Voepass regional … Read more…

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US disburses $3.4 billion in budget aid for Ukraine, Yellen says

By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States has sent $3.4 billion in additional budget aid to Ukraine, giving the war-torn country critical resources amid intensifying Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Monday. Yellen said in a statement the direct budget assistance, provided in coordination with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, marked the final disbursement under the 2024 Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations … Read more…

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Nvidia closes $700 million Run:ai acquisition after regulatory hurdles

(Reuters) – Chipmaker Nvidia has completed its acquisition of Israeli AI firm Run:ai, the startup said on Monday, following antitrust scrutiny over the buyout. The European Commission granted unconditional approval to Nvidia’s $700 million bid for Run:ai, which helps developers optimize infrastructure for AI, earlier in December after saying in October that the deal would require EU antitrust clearance. The EU antitrust watchdog had warned that the deal threatened competition in the markets where the … Read more…

Santa Visits Wall Street – by Justin Vaughn

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Stocks begged for a rate cut … and Mr. Powell obliged, and the week closed on a high note. The benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 498 points Friday ending a 10 day stretch of falling. Blue chips and value stocks were the focus Friday, as investors and traders looked for stalwart investments. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite managed to rise above flatline, up 1.1% and 1% … Read more…

US anti-missile THAAD system in Israel used to intercept projectile from Yemen

(Reuters) -An advanced U.S. military anti-missile system was used in Israel to try to intercept a projectile for the first time since President Joe Biden placed the system in Israel in October, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday. The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, was used to try to intercept a projectile from Yemen sometime during the last 24 hours, and an analysis would determine its success, said … Read more…

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Stocks drop in thin year-end trade amid tax selling, profit taking

(Reuters) -Tech and growth stocks dragged Wall Street’s main indexes lower on Friday, at the end of an upbeat holiday-shortened week that was driven by expectations around a traditionally strong period for markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.95%, the S&P 500 was down 1.33% and the Nasdaq Composite briefly was down 1.72%. COMMENTS: SAM STOVALL, MARKET STRATEGIST, CFRA, ALLENTOWN, PA: “Investors had been saying, oh, I’ll take profits in the new year, and … Read more…

US homelessness rose by record 18% in latest annual data

By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) – There was a record 18% rise in homelessness in the U.S. in the last year, driven by factors like unaffordable housing, high inflation, systemic racism, natural disasters and rising immigration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said on Friday. WHY IT’S IMPORTANT The problem of homelessness has been getting worse in the U.S., with commonplace sightings in many cities of destitute people living in the open, with … Read more…

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